Rustic Cargo Nightstand

Thank you guys so much for the love and excitement over my son’s new cabin bed! We’re pretty excited about it. There were a few questions and comments regarding how difficult it is to change the sheets. While changing the sheets on this cabin bed isn’t as straight-forward as a standard bed where all the sides are easily accessible, the wide open ends on the cabin bed make the chore more doable. I don’t suspect it’s any more difficult to change the sheets on a bunk bed. That being said, we love it so much, I really don’t mind the extra effort. Totally worth it, IMHO!

I also received a few questions and requests for plans for the rustic cargo nightstand in the photo. We’ve had this nightstand forever, it seems. My husband inherited it from his parents and I believe his Dad built it decades ago. After inspecting how it was constructed, it appears that my father-in-law employed some advanced woodworking skills, including a dado for the shelf to slide in, routed edges, as well as some biscuit joints (I’m guessing) and other more traditional joinery methods. When I drew up the plan, I simplified and streamlined the build so that no fancy woodworking tools were required to make this nightstand.

Step 1
Build the two sides. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes into the 1×4 rails and attach it to the 1×4 stiles with 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 2Plank the sides. Attach the 1x2s and 1x4s to the sides with 1-1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. Notice that the boards are flush to the bottom, so there will be a 3/4″ inset at the top.

Step 3Add the shelf. First, construct the shelf by planking the boards together. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes into the edges and ends of the shelf boards and join with 1-1/4″ pocket holes screws and wood glue. Next, attach the constructed shelf to the side panels with 1-1/4″ pocket holes and wood glue. Alternately, you can use a shelf pin drilling jig to make the shelf adjustable.

Step 4Add the top. Once again, construct the top by planking the boards together and drilling 3/4″ pocket holes into the edges and ends of the boards, then join them together with 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Attach the top to the carcass with 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 5Attach the back panel with 3/4″ brad nails or staples and wood glue.

Thanks so much for reading, friends. I can’t wait to see your versions of this rustic nightstand. Be sure to tag me (@jenwoodhouse #houseofwood) if you’d like to share your handiwork! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Be safe, have fun, and ask questions if you need to. Now go make some sawdust!

Belated reply – Jen said that the original item in the photos was made by her father in law and was built a little differently (dado/slide in slot for shelf, for example). Her plan is for the more beginner friendly version and some of those extras were omitted.